Asthma Support Group
Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.
I have severe asthma and live in an apartment that is not air conditioned. Each time there is a weather change, particularly in the spring and fall, I have had an exacerbation of my asthma.
At my last visit to the pulmonary doctor, the question of moving to an air conditioned apartment came up. He advised against this, Said that air conditioning stresses the small vessels of the lungs and causes spasm.
As I talk to family and friends, I am confronted with surprise when I share this advice. One person said "air conditioning used to be state of the art recommendations for asthmatics". This advice though is from a pulmonologist I deeply respect and feel like he's saved my life more than once.
I know I breathe better in air conditioning vs warm air (dry heat that goes to 90 to 95 degrees). I am not talking extreme temperatures here, just a little cold or a little warm causes terrible problems for me. I am sure the doctor was referring to walking in and out of the air conditioned apartment, those transitions that would cause more problems. Once accomodated to it, I would expect to have no problems.
So, can we discuss the pros and cons of air conditioning. Right now I am thankful our temps are in the in the mid 50s to mid 70s....but anticipating the upcoming summer really concerns me.
Thanks!!
At my last visit to the pulmonary doctor, the question of moving to an air conditioned apartment came up. He advised against this, Said that air conditioning stresses the small vessels of the lungs and causes spasm.
As I talk to family and friends, I am confronted with surprise when I share this advice. One person said "air conditioning used to be state of the art recommendations for asthmatics". This advice though is from a pulmonologist I deeply respect and feel like he's saved my life more than once.
I know I breathe better in air conditioning vs warm air (dry heat that goes to 90 to 95 degrees). I am not talking extreme temperatures here, just a little cold or a little warm causes terrible problems for me. I am sure the doctor was referring to walking in and out of the air conditioned apartment, those transitions that would cause more problems. Once accomodated to it, I would expect to have no problems.
So, can we discuss the pros and cons of air conditioning. Right now I am thankful our temps are in the in the mid 50s to mid 70s....but anticipating the upcoming summer really concerns me.
Thanks!!
I am also an asthmatic, and can tell you that I breath far better in the AC than in the heat, especially if it is humid as well. I know that one reason that some docs advise against ACis because the filters tend to trap lots of dust, pollens, etc, just the kind of stuff that sends us into an attack. If we are diligent about keeping our filters clean, and run the AC just enough to take the humidity out of the air, we can probably all breath better, without our docs having a fit! All the best to you, Sheri
I am also an asthmatic, and can tell you that I breath far better in the AC than in the heat, especially if it is humid as well. I know that one reason that some docs advise against ACis because the filters tend to trap lots of dust, pollens, etc, just the kind of stuff that sends us into an attack. If we are diligent about keeping our filters clean, and run the AC just enough to take the humidity out of the air, we can probably all breath better, without our docs having a fit! All the best to you, Sheri
I am also an asthmatic, and can tell you that I breath far better in the AC than in the heat, especially if it is humid as well. I know that one reason that some docs advise against ACis because the filters tend to trap lots of dust, pollens, etc, just the kind of stuff that sends us into an attack. If we are diligent about keeping our filters clean, and run the AC just enough to take the humidity out of the air, we can probably all breath better, without our docs having a fit! All the best to you, Sheri
I am also an asthmatic, and can tell you that I breath far better in the AC than in the heat, especially if it is humid as well. I know that one reason that some docs advise against ACis because the filters tend to trap lots of dust, pollens, etc, just the kind of stuff that sends us into an attack. If we are diligent about keeping our filters clean, and run the AC just enough to take the humidity out of the air, we can probably all breath better, without our docs having a fit! All the best to you, Sheri
I am also an asthmatic, and can tell you that I breath far better in the AC than in the heat, especially if it is humid as well. I know that one reason that some docs advise against ACis because the filters tend to trap lots of dust, pollens, etc, just the kind of stuff that sends us into an attack. If we are diligent about keeping our filters clean, and run the AC just enough to take the humidity out of the air, we can probably all breath better, without our docs having a fit! All the best to you, Sheri
I am also an asthmatic, and can tell you that I breath far better in the AC than in the heat, especially if it is humid as well. I know that one reason that some docs advise against ACis because the filters tend to trap lots of dust, pollens, etc, just the kind of stuff that sends us into an attack. If we are diligent about keeping our filters clean, and run the AC just enough to take the humidity out of the air, we can probably all breath better, without our docs having a fit! All the best to you, Sheri
Still, I do think that it would be great to be homebound inside an air conditioned place. I have terrible trouble breathing warm air. In fact, I have an intolerance to it.
I'm tending to agree but first want to return to work and breathe the air inside the clinic...it is air conditioned. I'm still collecting information.
Thanks daddy2x, Ohana and sadsheri for your comments. Wish I come move effortlessly into an air conditioned place and report back how much better I feel. Never happens that way though. I'm faced with some physical barriers and financial ones, so I don't know how soon this would occur anyway.
I've had asthma since I was 10 years old from what I can remember. I had other related problems prior to age 10.
I was told by my doc to use AC. I've noticed that I have much more energy in a cooler inviroment.
I am able to adjust to hot weather too. Once I stayed in Arizona for 6 weeks. Over time I adjusted and enjoyed going for long walks and hikes. I would come back and go swimming.
I used a cooling unit in my bedroom and this allowed me to sleep at night.
I live in California too. I am unable to sleep in my apartment without AC. When I lived in a 2 bed unit they had Central. On the same property I moved to a 1 bedroom and it is not central.
So there is an AC in the living room and it doesn't reach the bedroom.
It is the law for compliance when a doctor writes a note on an RX pad for a complex to comply with a residents needs although they don't have to pay for the change.
There are small but effective AC's that are not expensive either to fit in a window or the type on wheeles that also has an exhaust going out of the window.
The one on wheels is much easier to instal.
I found a used one on www.craigslist.org and people often find them for free either on craigslist or freecycle.
The first one I bought was for $65 on craigslist and normally sold for $500.00 so I really got a great deal.
I can now deal with more changes simply because I don't become distressed and inturn I do better with my breathing.
good luck
Your body will tell you.